AMD has launched its first chipsets with integrated graphics processors (IGPs) since acquiring graphics chip vendor ATI last October. The 690G and the 690V have ATI Radeon x1250 IGPs, and target thin clients, POS (point-of-sales/service) devices, gaming devices, and SBCs (single-board computers), the chipmaker reportedly said.

According to an article at eWEEK, the second-largest x86 chipmaker hopes the 690-series chips will increase its share of several device markets, including those for thin clients, POS (point-of-sales/service) machines, gaming systems, and single-board computers (SBCs). The company sees “a lot of opportunity to grow in this space,” according to embedded division marketing manager Jeff Chu, as quoted by eWEEK.

The 690-series chips connect northward to AMD Sempron, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, or Athlon 64 FX X2 processors via a 1GHz HyperTransport interface. Southward, they support AMD's SB600, which can provide up to 10 USB 2.0 ports.

The “690G” model includes onboard HD Audio, and support for dual independent displays, including dual digital displays, while the “690V” model lacks these advanced A/V features. Other touted 690-series features include:

• x16 PCI Express graphics interface for use with off-chip graphics processors
• Up to four x1 PCI Express ports
• Graphics resolutions up to 2048×1536 @ 32bpp
• Microsoft “DirectDraw” 2D game acceleration
• DirectX 9.0 3D acceleration
• 3D texture support, including projective 3D textures
• Anti-aliasing using multi-sampling algorithm
• Supports OpenGL format
• MPEG-2 decode acceleration
• MPEG-4 decode support
• WMV9 playback acceleration
• “Supports top quality DVD and time-shifted SDTV/HDTV television playback with low CPU usage”
• Integrated Xilleon TV encoder with Avivo
• Supports Macrovision 7.1 copy protection standard (required by DVD players)
• Supports component, composite, and S-video out
• Supports a TMDS interface, enabling DVI or HDMI 1.2 <1650 Mbps/channel with 165 MHz pixel clock rate per link
• HDCP 1.1 support on data stream with on-chip key storage
• SATA Gen 2 PHY supporting 3.0GHz
• four-port SATA AHCI controller supports NCQ and slumber modes
• TPM 1.1 and 1.2 compliant
  ASF 2.0 support
• PCA v2.3 (up to six slots)

AMD has not yet set pricing for the 690-series chipsets, although it is already shipping the chips to select motherboard partners, according to eWEEK. The complete eWEEK story can be found here.

AMD is reportedly demonstrating the 690-series chips running Windows Vista, at the Embedded Systems Conference this week. At the conference, the chipmaker is also reportedly touting its 50×15 Program, aimed at bringing PC technology to developing nations, by supporting initiatives such as Inveneo's Linux-based African connectivity effort.

AMD competitor Intel, meanwhile, recently launched a Linux-based ClassMatePC designed for children in the developing world.

 
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